N is for Normandy

November 14, 2023 /

I’ve spent a few days in Normandy, France. Both times I went to Monet’s Gardens in Giverny, to Rouen, and to Mont Saint-Michel. In 2018 we also went to the coast to see Omaha beach, one of the beaches where the Allies came ashore in World War II.

School kids at Omaha Beach
Sculpture at Omaha Beach
Poppies in Normandy

When we stopped at Omaha Beach, preparations were underway for the June anniversary commemorations, so there were ugly fences and bleachers up, but I got some good pictures. The fields of poppies always make me think of World War I, even though Flanders is not French.

Stained Glass Windows
Place du Vieux-Marche
Le Gros-Horloge

In the historic center of Rouen, between Omaha Beach and Paris, there is a lovely square surrounded by restaurants and churches. The L’eglise Sainte Jeanne d’Arc is a modern church dedicated to Joan of Arc, it is built at the site where she was burned at the stake. The stained glass windows are from a much older church that was destroyed in World War II.

Mont Saint-Michel
Crepes
Norman looking architecture

Mont Saint-Michel is located on the north coast of France, at the border of Brittany and Normandy. When we were in France in 2018, we were driving from Paris to the west coast of Brittany, and looking out the window of the car, I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. A castle, it appeared, floating above the sea. I asked Ted’s friend Jean-Marc about it, and he said we must visit it on our way back East. We did, though I had injured my knee a few weeks prior, so walking up into the fortress wasn’t really doable. We just took some pictures and had lunch on shore, and then went on our way toward Omaha Beach. When I went back in 2022, my cousin Carey really wanted to go to Mont Saint-Michel, it was a bucket list item for her. So we went, and had a lovely time. I liked the Norman architecture, we had delicious crepes for lunch, and touring the Abbey was wonderful.

One thing I remember about both of my trips to Normandy is how absolutely beautiful the French countryside is. So pastoral, with modern and historic towns along the way. Horses and cows and hills and a beautiful sky. Absolutely beautiful.

22 Comments

  • Elisabeth

    November 14, 2023 at 4:45 am

    My parents went to Mont Saint Michel; it reminds me a bit of Saint-Malo from All the Light We Cannot See. I’d LOVE to explore more of France.

    We’re twinning today, as I just posted my first Paris recap from a trip back in 2019. That country is magical.

    • J

      November 14, 2023 at 5:46 am

      Elisabeth, I have thought about that, and wondered if they are similar. They’re not TOO far apart, if one were spending time in the region, one could definitely compare.

      I enjoyed your Paris post, am looking forward to more. And with my alphabet theme, you know P is coming up, right?

  • Margaret

    November 14, 2023 at 8:09 am

    I love Normandy and the French countryside too. The cheese and chocolate are delicious and the CREPES. Mont St Michel is quite a climb/hike and I’m not sure I could even do it these days.

    • J

      November 14, 2023 at 10:21 am

      We were trying to get there before the big busses come from Paris, and I think we managed that pretty well, but there were school field trips in addition to tourists, so yeah, it was pretty crowded at some points. I kind of wished we had spent the night at an inn there, instead of nearby, so we could have been right there. But it wouldn’t have saved us a LOT of time. Maybe an hour. Our problem was that we were up too late the night before!

    • J

      November 14, 2023 at 6:37 pm

      I have a coworker who went to a lot of WWII sites in Normandy recently, there is a lot to see, a lot more than just the beach that we saw. I think your dad would like it.

  • San

    November 14, 2023 at 8:17 pm

    I’ve heard of Mount Saint-Michel… recently another blog friend shared a blog post about it and I’d love to visit.

    The crepe looks amazing!

    • J

      November 15, 2023 at 6:23 am

      Thanks San! That crepe WAS amazing. I don’t generally get crepes in the US, they’re too doughy or something. When we went out to Brittany in 2018, our friend Jean-Marc took us to a creperie that was supposed to have the best in the world, and be where they originated, so of course I tried one. SO GOOD. So my new rule is that I will only eat buckwheat crepes in Brittany. Mont Saint-Michele is RIGHT on the border of Brittany and Normandy, so I decided that worked for me. I’m glad I did.

  • Ernie

    November 15, 2023 at 8:34 am

    This sounds like a wonderful destination. The pictures are so pretty. Joan of Arc is my dad’s favorite saint. I look forward to visiting France one day. There is so much to see.

  • Lisa’s Yarns

    November 19, 2023 at 5:40 am

    I did a day trip to the beaches of Normandy during my 2011 trip. I would like to go back and spend time in that region as it was a pretty rushed and long day. But I was traveling alone so it made the most sense. It was staggering to see the cliffs the soldiers climbed during D Day and to see how the landscape was fully of massive divots/holes from all the bombing that happened. We are watching Band of Brothers now since my husband hadn’t seen it. I had seen the show before I visited the region which made the visit even more impactful. It’s so sad to think of all the lives lost in that region. 🙁